“Simply one of the finest singer-songwriters of his generation, Alejandro Escovedo’s critical cachet has always outstripped his name recognition and commercial impact.” — Slant
-
California Honeydrops
California Honeydrops
The Honeydrops have come a long way since guitarist and trumpeter Lech Wierzynkski and drummer Ben Malament started busking in an Oakland subway station, but the band has stayed true to that organic, street-level feel. Listening to Lech sing, it can be a surprise that he was born in Warsaw, Poland, and raised by Polish political refugees. He learned his vocal stylings from contraband American recordings of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong, and later at Oberlin College and on the club circuit in Oakland, California. With the additions of Johnny Bones on tenor sax and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards, and Beau Bradbury on bass, they’ve built a powerful full-band sound to support Wierzynski’s vocals. More like parties than traditional concerts, their shows feature extensive off-stage jamming and crowd interaction. “The whole point is to erase the boundaries between the crowd and us,” Wierzynski says. “We don’t make setlists. We want requests. We want crowd involvement, to make people become a part of the whole thing by dancing along, singing, picking the songs and generally coming out of their shells.”
-
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell stands as one of the most vital voices in modern American music, a songwriter’s songwriter who has transcended the boundaries of country and Americana to become a premier chronicler of the human condition. Born in Green Hill, Alabama, Isbell’s musical education was steeped in the rich traditions of the Muscle Shoals sound. He first rose to national prominence in 2001 as a member of the Drive-By Truckers, where his soulful voice and sharp-edged compositions provided a powerful counterpoint to the band’s southern rock grit. However, his tenure with the group was cut short by personal struggles, leading to a solo career that would eventually redefine his life and the landscape of roots music.The turning point for Isbell came with his sobriety and the release of the 2013 album Southeastern. Widely regarded as a masterpiece, the record stripped away the loud guitars to reveal a vulnerable, surgically precise lyricism. Songs like “Elephant” and “Cover Me Up” showcased an unflinching honesty, tackling subjects like terminal illness and the grueling road to redemption with a grace that few of his peers could match. Since then, alongside his powerhouse band, The 400 Unit, Isbell has released a string of critically acclaimed albums, including Something More Than Free, The Nashville Sound, and Weathervanes. These works have earned him multiple Grammy Awards and established him as a master of the southern gothic narrative, capable of writing about working-class struggles, racial tension, and the quiet complexities of fatherhood and marriage.Isbell’s impact extends beyond his discography; he is a vocal advocate for sobriety and social justice, often using his platform to challenge the gatekeepers of the Nashville establishment. His guitar playing, deeply rooted in the blues and soul of his Alabama upbringing, is as expressive as his singing, often punctuated by blistering slide work that serves the emotion of the song. Whether he is performing a delicate acoustic ballad or leading a feedback-drenched rock anthem, his work is consistently anchored by an obsession with craft. He avoids easy cliches, opting instead for specific, lived-in details that make his songs feel like short stories. Today, Jason Isbell is more than just a musician; he is a literary figure in the world of rock and roll, proving that the most specific stories are often the most universal.Jason Isbell was married to Amanda Shires. (Click to visit her site) They were part of each other’s bands and often appeared on record together.
-
The Steel Wheels
Steel Wheels
Creators and Hosts of The Redwing Festival
Simultaneously familiar and fresh, the Steel Wheels bring a singular energy to every note they play and sparkling craft to each song. This potent combination, paired with a robust tour calendar, have made the veteran band hands-down favorites of fans and peers alike. From their base in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, TSW have played the most prestigious festivals, listening rooms, and clubs in the world, cementing a reputation as one of the top independent bands on the scene today.
Check the website for one of the better responses to pandemic streaming solutions, Distance Together.
